27 Sensational Outdoor Adventures In Salida, Colorado

Salida, Colorado is one of those places that keeps surprising you. Tucked into a valley surrounded by three dramatic mountain ranges—the Sangre de Cristos to the south, the Mosquito Range to the north, and the Sawatch Range to the northwest—it’s a hidden gem that delivers for outdoor adventurers, art lovers, and history buffs alike. Whether you’re chasing white-water rapids on the Arkansas River, hiking the Collegiate Peaks, or ending your day with a soak in nearby hot springs, Salida has no shortage of ways to fill your itinerary.

Chris and I recently made the move to Southern Colorado, which means Salida is officially our backyard playground. We’ve already started exploring the outdoor adventures in Salida and we’re hooked—there is so much to do here, and we’ve barely scratched the surface.

27 Outdoor Adventures In Salida, Colorado

One of the most popular stops on a Colorado road trip, Salida delivers the kind of outdoor adventures that keep you coming back season after season. With 14ers towering overhead, the Arkansas River running through town, and hot springs within easy reach, the outdoor adventures in Salida, Colorado are as varied as the landscape surrounding it. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or just looking for a scenic float down the river, this mountain town has something worth lacing your boots up for.

1. Sign up for a Browns Canyon Rafting Trip

You just can’t go wrong with a Browns Canyon rafting adventure. You will find some of the best white water rafting in the USA along the Arkansas River—different sections are perfect for the beginning rafter (Class I & II rapids) or more advanced Class IV rapids for a breathtaking technical experience.

Chris and I booked our Browns Canyon rafting adventure on The Numbers—a Class IV section along the Arkansas River. This section is considered “advanced”. When we arrived, we found that we were the only two that had signed up for this trip. Score!

We enjoyed a private adventure with our guide, Rye, plus an extra staff member along to help with the paddling, and Kevin as our spotter in the kayak.

Many tours provide gear which may include: a wetsuit, booties, jacket, helmet, lifejacket and paddle. Be sure to wear sunscreen, bring sunglasses, and attach a sunglass strap to your glasses to keep them securely on your face.

2. Soak in Hot Springs Near Salida

Many of the natural hot springs in Colorado require a hike or a backcountry drive…different kinds of outdoor adventures in Salida. Even public hot springs in the heart of a downtown or a charming mountain town offer relaxing soaks and meditative moments.

• Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center
• Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort
• Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa
• Aqua Hot Springs
• Valley View Hot Springs
• Antero Hot Springs & Cabins

3. Discover Browns Canyon National Monument

If you are looking for things to do in Salida Colorado, discover one of Colorado’s nine national monuments—Brown’s Canyon (designated in February 2015). The monument offers sweeping views of the Arkansas River Valley with the backdrop of Sawatch Range.

Brown’s Canyon National Monument is made up of 21,500 acres of pristine rivers, canyons and forest (this includes the San Isabel National Forest). You will discover plenty of recreational opportunities from fishing to hiking to epic white water rafting.

4. Drive Colorado Scenic Byways

According to the Federal Highway Administration, “to be designated as a National Scenic Byway, a byway must meet the criteria for at least one of six “intrinsic qualities”: archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic.”

Looking for things to do in Salida Colorado on a quiet afternoon? Explore these scenic byways:

• Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway
• Independence Pass
• Cottonwood Pass
• Marshall Pass
• Monarch Pass
• Trout Creek Pass

Another beautiful drive is the Midland Tunnels. As the first standard gauge railroad to run throughout Colorado, the Colorado Midland Railway, crossed the Continental Divide as it made its way between Colorado Springs, and Aspen. Today, this series of tunnels are open for you to explore and span along the Colorado Midland Trail for 5 miles outside of Buena Vista.

If you have never done any mountain driving before, or if you simply haven’t been on mountain roads recently, the fact is that traveling the narrow, curvy roads of mountain passes can be a challenge for some drivers—especially first-time mountain drivers.

As Chris and I regularly travel the mountains in Colorado, it is pretty obvious after following some people for a couple of miles that mountain driving makes them nervous. They go slower than the posted speed limit, they brake before every curve, and many ride their brakes instead of downshifting when driving down the mountain pass.

5. Explore a Ghost Town

The St. Elmo ghost town in Chalk Creek Canyon is a little more than 50 minutes outside of Salida. It is one of the coolest things to do in Salida Colorado and is the most accessible and best preserved ghost town in the West.

There are 43 buildings that still remain today: a saloon, courthouse and jail, mercantile, and private homes. St.Elmo is accessible year round, though the General Store which still serves customers is only open in the summer.

6. Discover the Fall Foliage

If you are looking for things to do in Salida Colorado in the fall, you won’t be disappointed. Chris and I drove Monarch Pass and loved the beautiful color. You can expect the best fall color from the middle of September to early October.

7. Walk Along the Salida River Trail

Downtown Salida features the Riverside Park with plenty of green space, a playground, picnic table and restrooms. Walk through the park and along the Salida River Trail that follows the winding Arkansas River. The paved pathway offers beautiful scenery, places to sit and rest, and a number of local shops and restaurants.

On any given summer day, you will likely see people surfing the small rapids or floating down this stretch of river on inner tubes.

8. Try the Whitewater Park

Outdoor adventures in Salida include four whitewater features that were created along the Arkansas River, ideal for surfing kayaks as well as trying your hand at paddleboards, surfboards, and body boards. 

9. Enjoy a Concert in the Salida Events Center

The Event Center at Riverside Park is often humming with music and events during the summer months. Chris and I happened to be in Salida over the Memorial Day weekend and enjoyed the FREE Bluegrass on the Arkansas festival complete with live music, a beer garden, and food trucks.

10. Attend a Salida Festival

It seems as though there is always something happening in Salida from festivals to concerts to special events. It is always a good time to visit to experience the artistic scene or enjoy outdoor adventures in Salida, Colorado.

• FIBArk: Salida Whitewater River Festival – June
• Brewer’s Rendezvous – Colorado Beer Festival – July
• Live Music – Weekly Concerts
• Chaffee County Fair and Rodeo – July
• 4th of July – July
• Salida Art Walk – October

11. Explore the Historic Downtown

Salida’s downtown historic district is perfect for strolling, window shopping, or finding a fun place to enjoy lunch, dinner or snacks. I love the cool old trucks. You’ll find excellent shopping, unique gifts, and fun boutiques. The beautifully restored buildings in the historic downtown are pretty photogenic too.

I recommend that you make reservations in advance at popular eateries, especially on busy weekends and during festival and events.

There are a variety of great eateries, cafes, restaurants and food trucks to visit.

TripAdvisor’s Top 10 List of Restaurants in Salida:

• Moonlight Pizza and Brewpub
• Amicas
• Currents
• Boathouse Cantina
• The Fritz
• Fiesta Mexicana
• Ferraro’s
• Soulcraft Brewing
• Quincys Steak and Spirits

12. Discover the Art Scene in the Creative District

Salida has received the state designation of “Creative District” which certifies that Salida contributes to Colorado’s economy through creativity, culture, and the arts.

“The Creative District is comprised not only of artists and galleries, but creative entrepreneurs of all types, including locally-owned restaurants, bars, microbreweries, and a distillery; print, graphic, and jewelry designers; boutique hotel accommodations; and healing arts, non-profits and many more. As a community that relies heavily on tourism, the Creative District’s offering of special events and festivals throughout the year showcases the vibrancy of the community and a boost to the economy.” ~ City of Salida

13. Sign up for a Walking Tour

Enjoy a whole new side of Salida with a walking tour. Your personal guide shares a local’s perspective through storytelling.

14. Swoosh Down the Mountain on Your Mountain Bike

Perhaps road biking or mountain biking is more your speed. Both Salida and nearby Buena Vista are well known for their biking trails—sometimes right out your front door. Whatever the season—early spring, late fall, or the middle of winter—it’s biking time.

Mild temperatures and trails on sandy slopes make for year-round riding in the Upper Arkansas Valley. A fun choice is to ride the 24 miles from Salida to Buena Vista or vice-versa. If you are looking to test your mettle and endurance, how about Poncha, Monarch, Cottonwood, and Independence Passes with up to 4,000 feet of elevation gain?

15. Fish

If you love getting back to nature with a little fishing, Salida has got you covered. Fishing enthusiasts would agree that fishing helps to reduce stress and enhances your appreciation of nature.

16. Visit the Salida Farmers Market

Find the freshest local foods available at the Salida farmers market. Shop for arts and crafts, listen to live music, and bring the whole family for some tasty treats.

• Salida Farmers Market – Saturday morning from 8:00 am to noon, starting the first weekend in June until mid October at Alpine Park.
• Buena Vista Farmers Market – Saturday morning from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, starting the first weekend in June until the first weekend in September at the North Railroad Tracks Parking Lot.

17. Enjoy Snowsports at Monarch Resort

The ski season at Monarch is generally from November to April, but Colorado is known for snow storms in May and June as well. If you want to get away from the crowds at Colorado’s mega ski resorts (Breckenridge, Vail, Aspen), check out Monarch Mountain as your perfect weekend getaway.

Monarch features skiing, long trails for intermediate skiers, and wide open alpine bowls. How about a snowmobiling adventure?  During the winter months, Monarch Mountain is busy with snowmobiling, dog sledding, and cross country skiing.

18. Plan Hikes Near Salida

Hiking is one of the favorite things that Chris and I enjoy doing together. You can find a variety of hikes near Salida for different skill levels, elevations, and distances. If you are hiking be sure to:

• Plan Ahead and Prepare – Download maps in advance
• Stick to the Trails
• Leave No Trace – Pack out your trash
• Leave What You Find – Don’t pick the flowers!
• Be Careful with Fire
• Prevent wildfires – Be sure fires are allowed and never leave a fire unattended. Fully extinguish fires before leaving an area.
• Respect Wildlife
• Be Friendly

19. Climb a 14er Anyone?

Did you know that Chaffee County, where Salida is located, has the highest concentration of peaks over 14,000 feet high in Colorado? 58 to be exact. Fifteen of those peaks are hikes near Salida.

I have never really wanted to hike a 14-er, but plenty of people do. It takes a little more prep than a hike, so be sure you are aware of the weather conditions, the physical requirements, and come prepared.

What to Bring on Your Hikes?

Be prepared for your day hikes by packing the “Ten Essentials”. Don’t be caught unprepared.

Amazon makes it easy to buy your hiking gear online. Check out my Amazon Storefront for my recommended hiking equipment.

20. Camp

I have a love hate relationship with camping. I love the mountains. I hate sleeping in the mountains. Thus, you will find me at the nearest hotel! If this is you too, click the link below to find accommodations on Booking.com!

Check availability for hotels near Salida with Booking.com

If you want to find tent and RV campgrounds in Salida or throughout the United States, you might want to try this Apple app. As I am NOT a camper, I haven’t tried The Dyrt, but there are over 92,000 ratings on the app store.

Enjoy Day Trips from Salida

21. Great Sand Dunes National Park

Walking through the sand and climbing the dunes at the Great Sand Dunes National Park WILL BE your daily workout; if you and your kids are planning on sledding, you’ll get more exercise hiking back up the dunes after your race down on your sled.

Be sure to wear good shoes and socks. You may fill your socks and shoes with sand as you walk, but that is preferable to burning your feet on the sand if you wear flip flops or open toed shoes. The sand can reach temperatures as hot as 150°.

If you are lucky enough to visit the dunes when the Medano Creek is running, it is perfect for wading through and splashing in. The creek rarely gets deeper than 2 inches, with occasional surges up to 4 inches.

Be sure to wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Bring water! There is no shade once you are on the dunes.

• Distance from Salida: ~ 86 miles (138 km) or 1 hr 25 minutes

22. Visit Buena Vista

If you are a lover of all things outdoors, whether it is hiking, biking or water adventures, Buena Vista has a sport with your name on it.

Looking for great landscapes, epic mountain views, and amazing wilderness areas? Isn’t it about time you come to Colorado to check it out for yourself? If your travel style is more chill than thrill, you’ll love the abundance of natural hot springs in the area too.

• Distance from Salida: ~ 24.5 miles (40 km) or 30 minutes

23. Visit Rocky Mountain National Park

A visit to Rocky Mountain National Park should be at the top of your Colorado bucket list in the summer. Discover things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park, but be sure to get your park reservation first!

One of the fun things we love doing in RMNP includes a GuideAlong (formerly known as GyPSy Guide) audio tour. Try one of their many audio tours today if you are visiting national parks in the US, exploring Canada, or roadtripping around Australia!

• Distance from Salida: ~ 172 miles (277 km) or 3 hours 10 minutes

24. Zipline at Royal Gorge

We did this with our girls and everyone had a blast. The helmets aren’t attractive, but necessary. You will need to make reservations in advance.

• Distance from Salida: ~ 58 miles (93.3 km) or 1 hour 15 minutes

25. Explore Skyline Drive in Cañon City

Cañon City is close to Royal Gorge where you can zipline, whitewater raft, take a helicopter tour, or ride the scenic train through the gorge.

This narrow 2.6 mile (4 km) drive along the ridge overlooking Cañon City may not be right for you if you don’t like heights. However the views give a stunning 360° view of the area. The road is one-way.

• Distance from Salida: ~ 59 miles (95 km) or 1 hour 17 minutes

26. Visit Colorado Mountain Lavender Farm

Chris and I stopped at the Colorado Mountain Lavender Farm outside Cotopaxi, CO while on a weekend getaway to Salida. We stopped in at the Farm Shop and ordered lunch first before walking the circuit around the main lavender fields. What can you do at the farm?

• Enjoy the smell of lavender as you tour the fields
• Shop for lavender body butter, beard oil, body soap, candles, herbs, skin spritz, lavender balsamic vinegar and more!
• Visit in August for their U-Pick event
• Stay the night for a perfect couple’s getaway
• Enjoy the “field to fork” lunch menu from the farm kitchen.

You’ll find the farm in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range.

• Distance from Salida: ~ 34.2 miles (55 km) or 47 minutes

27. Ride the Monarch Crest Scenic Tramway

It was a pretty windy day when Chris and I rode the Monarch Crest Scenic Tramway. Be sure to bring something warm to wear; it is always chillier at the top of the tram.

This tram is the oldest working tramway in Colorado; once you arrive at the top, you’ll marvel at the spectacular views from the Continental Divide Trail. What can you do besides enjoy the views? How about some high-altitude hiking, mountain biking, or motorbiking!

• Distance from Salida: ~ 23 miles (37 km) or 30 minutes

Salida Details

If you have been to Salida before, you’ll probably recognize the downtown kayak wall art!

You might call Salida a hidden gem that often gets overlooked as people drive through town as the gateway to outdoor adventures. I challenge you to stop and see what this welcoming town has to offer! Use Salida as your homebase to enjoy the historic downtown, get your creative vibe on with the vibrant art scene, marvel at nature, book a tour with Viator, and explore the outdoor adventures in Salida and surrounding area.

Did You Know…?

• Salida means “exit” or “gateway” in Spanish.
• Salida was originally named “South Arkansas” when the railroads first reached the area in May 1880. The name was changed to Salida as it was seen as the “exit” or gateway to the Arkansas River.
• Not once, but twice, the downtown business area of Salida burned. First in 1886 and then again in 1888. Can you imagine the despair?
• Today, the Salida Downtown Historic District and the beautiful brick buildings it features are listed on the National Historic Register (June 14, 1984).
• Salida has been visited by a few Presidents of the United States: Theodore Roosevelt, Howard Taft, Harry Truman, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
• The First in Boating the Arkansas Klub (FIBArk) race was held June 19, 1949—the first of its kind. The race followed a 56-mile course from Royal Gorge to Canon City. The race of endurance and skill is still held today, but has been shortened to 26 miles and ends in Cotopaxi.

Getting Around in Salida

If you are coming to Salida from a nearby airport, you will want to rent a car. The airports that you may wish to consider are:

• Gunnison (GUC) Airport – 51.2 miles (82.4 km)
• Aspen (ASE) Airport – 66.8 miles (107.5 km)
• Colorado Springs (COS) Airport- 72.8 miles (117 km)
• Eagle (EGE) Airport – 91.2 miles (146.8 km)
• Denver International Airport (DEN) – 116 miles (186.7 km)

While downtown Salida is walkable, and you can also rent bikes, there is so much to see in the area that you will definitely want to have access to a car.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Salida, Colorado: Adventure Starts Right Out the Front Door

Consider yourself convinced. Salida is the perfect gateway to some of the best outdoor adventures in Colorado—Browns Canyon rafting, Collegiate Peaks hikes, stunning drives over Monarch Pass, and hot springs to recover from all of it. But don’t blow past historic downtown Salida in your rush to hit the trails. The charming shops, local restaurants, and yes—the gingerbread cookies from the farmers market—are worth slowing down for.

Chris and I have loved every minute of exploring our new backyard, and we’re just getting started. Before you head out on the trails, grab my Day Hike Packing List so you’re ready for whatever Salida throws at you.

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